Abell Community Street Fair
Baltimore is known for its festivals. There are many, and some share the same day causing competition and creating the difficult choice of which one to attend. Well, that didn’t happen yesterday, and if it did I would have still only gone to one, which just happens to be my favorite. It's the Abell Community Street Fair.
Abell has a can-do spirit. It’s not just about can-do, as much as doing. The people in this one-of-a-kind neighborhood prove their loyalty daily because they look out for each other, taking the right steps to keep their area safe, clean and thriving.
I don’t live in the community, but I walk through it often on my way to and from the grocery store. I don’t need someone to tell me what is going on here because I can see with my own eyes the continuity, and I desperately want it duplicated in other neighborhoods.
When I walk through this beautiful space I never feel like a visitor or a guest, but get the feeling I belong. Hmm, maybe I should be looking for future housing?
This particular festival was like all the others they’ve had, except this year there appeared to be more vendors and more organizations talking about community activism and efforts. If there are people talking about projects and ways of creating change for any neighborhood, you can count on me to be there because I am passionate about my own community.
There are a few highlights I took away with me yesterday. I so often see mothers with their children, playing and participating, but I also saw fathers who were taking an active role in their children’s lives. It’s simple things like this that yield a tremendous impact not just for the family unit, but for the observer, too. We must always be mindful that someone is watching us. As individuals, we must always be willing to set the example.
My other focus was on the diverse group of people (black, white, Latino, Indian, Asian, gay and straight, young and old, adult and child, etc.) working together, all for the greater good of a community. You name the characteristic, it was present at this festival. There were smiles, happiness, conversations between individuals about ways of improving the neighborhood and making it safer, and so much more.
To the Abell community, thank you for inviting others and me to your annual celebration. Thank you for showcasing a can-do attitude and sharing it with everyone. Most of all, thank you for setting a great example for the rest of us.
Communities don’t just happen. It takes hard work, determination and devotion. Let’s all get involved in our own neighborhoods, but let us also take it upon ourselves to help those communities that are struggling to evolve and find a new beginning. Let’s give them the motivation they need, thus helping them go the distance. Cheers! – paerki
Abell has a can-do spirit. It’s not just about can-do, as much as doing. The people in this one-of-a-kind neighborhood prove their loyalty daily because they look out for each other, taking the right steps to keep their area safe, clean and thriving.
I don’t live in the community, but I walk through it often on my way to and from the grocery store. I don’t need someone to tell me what is going on here because I can see with my own eyes the continuity, and I desperately want it duplicated in other neighborhoods.
When I walk through this beautiful space I never feel like a visitor or a guest, but get the feeling I belong. Hmm, maybe I should be looking for future housing?
This particular festival was like all the others they’ve had, except this year there appeared to be more vendors and more organizations talking about community activism and efforts. If there are people talking about projects and ways of creating change for any neighborhood, you can count on me to be there because I am passionate about my own community.
There are a few highlights I took away with me yesterday. I so often see mothers with their children, playing and participating, but I also saw fathers who were taking an active role in their children’s lives. It’s simple things like this that yield a tremendous impact not just for the family unit, but for the observer, too. We must always be mindful that someone is watching us. As individuals, we must always be willing to set the example.
My other focus was on the diverse group of people (black, white, Latino, Indian, Asian, gay and straight, young and old, adult and child, etc.) working together, all for the greater good of a community. You name the characteristic, it was present at this festival. There were smiles, happiness, conversations between individuals about ways of improving the neighborhood and making it safer, and so much more.
To the Abell community, thank you for inviting others and me to your annual celebration. Thank you for showcasing a can-do attitude and sharing it with everyone. Most of all, thank you for setting a great example for the rest of us.
Communities don’t just happen. It takes hard work, determination and devotion. Let’s all get involved in our own neighborhoods, but let us also take it upon ourselves to help those communities that are struggling to evolve and find a new beginning. Let’s give them the motivation they need, thus helping them go the distance. Cheers! – paerki
